"Did you notice any difference in soundproofing with cellulose? I've recommended it a few times for clients concerned about noise, and they've generally been happy."
Yeah, cellulose has been pretty solid for sound dampening in my experience too. I wouldn't call it a miracle worker or anything, but clients definitely notice less echo and fewer outside noises creeping in compared to fiberglass. Had one client near a busy road who specifically commented how much quieter their home felt after we switched them over. So you're definitely on the right track recommending it...
I've had similar experiences with cellulose, but honestly, I think the difference depends a lot on the specific situation. A couple years back, I worked on a house near train tracks—like, really close—and we went with cellulose insulation hoping it'd help cut down the noise. It definitely made things better inside, especially compared to fiberglass we'd used in other builds. But it wasn't exactly night-and-day quiet either...you could still hear the trains rumbling by, just not as loud or sharp.
Funny thing is, the homeowners were thrilled anyway because they'd lived in an apartment before that practically shook every time a train passed. So I guess expectations matter too. I'm curious though—has anyone tried pairing cellulose with other soundproofing methods like resilient channels or double drywall? Wondering if that combo might be more effective overall.
Yeah, cellulose alone isn't a magic bullet for noise. I've combined it with resilient channels and double drywall before, and it definitely stepped things up. Still heard some low-frequency rumble, but overall way better than insulation alone. Worth the extra effort, imo.
"Still heard some low-frequency rumble, but overall way better than insulation alone."
Yeah, that's been my experience too. When we renovated our basement into a home theater, I was really focused on keeping costs down but still wanted decent soundproofing. Ended up using cellulose insulation because it was eco-friendly and budget-friendly, but quickly realized it wasn't enough on its own—especially for those deep bass sounds.
After some research, I added resilient channels and a second layer of drywall with Green Glue in between. Honestly, the difference was night and day. Still not perfect—like you said, those low frequencies are stubborn—but it made movie nights way more enjoyable without breaking the bank.
One thing I'd add for anyone considering this route: pay attention to sealing gaps around outlets and doors. Small leaks can let through more noise than you'd expect... learned that the hard way!
Totally agree about sealing those gaps—it's crazy how much sound sneaks through tiny openings. When I built my home office, I went with recycled denim insulation thinking it would be enough. It was decent for voices and general noise, but bass from music or movies still came through way more than I expected. Ended up doing something similar to you—added resilient channels and double drywall layers with Green Glue. Huge improvement, but yeah, those low frequencies are tough to completely eliminate without going full-on professional studio build.
One thing I'd suggest if you're still noticing rumble is checking your HVAC ducts. I found out mine were basically acting like giant bass tunnels, carrying sound all over the house. Wrapping them with acoustic duct liner and adding flexible duct sections really helped cut down on that sneaky bass travel. Might be worth a look if you haven't already tackled it...
